THE DAILY WHIP: MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011

**Members are advised that votes are expected around 1:00 p.m. Following votes, the House will begin general debate on H.R. 2584 and then begin consideration of amendments. The House is expected to debate 3 bills under suspension of the Rules following last votes.

H.Res. 363 - Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2584 - Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY 2012 (Rep. Simpson – Appropriations) (One hour of debate) The Rules committee has recommended an open Rule. It provides that the bill will be read by paragraph under the Rules of the House. It allows any Member to submit an amendment under the 5 minute Rule, but allows the Chair to give priority in recognition to those amendments pre-printed in the Congressional Record. It also allows pro forma amendments. The Rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided between the Chair and Ranking member of the committee on Appropriations and allows one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. The Rule also strikes section 427 of the bill.

Begin consideration of H.R. 2584 - Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY 2012 (Rep. Simpson – Appropriations) H.R. 2584 makes appropriations for the department of the Interior and other related agencies and programs. It appropriates at a level that is $2.086 billion, or 7 percent, below the FY 2011 appropriations level and $3.818 billion, or 12.7 percent, below the President's request.

This bill makes many dangerous reductions, including an 18 percent cut to EPA’s budget, on top of the 16% cut already imposed on the EPA during this fiscal year. These cuts would be a huge blow to air and water programs at both the Federal and State level. It also includes many policy riders that the GOP forced into the bill. For example, it would prohibit funds for the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listings and critical habitat designations. This bill includes dozens of policy riders that bill have nothing to do with deficit reduction, but more to do with pursuing an ideological agenda.

The House is expected to begin general debate of H.R. 2584, and then begin reading the bill by paragraph. A series of amendment votes is expected around 6:00 p.m.

The GOP Leadership has announced the following schedule for Tuesday, July 26: The House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. The House is expected to consider H.R. 1938 - North American-Made Energy Security Act (Rep. Terry – Transportation and Infrastructure/Energy and Commerce/Natural Resources) (Subject to a Rule). The House is also expected to consider bills under suspension of the Rules.

The Daily Quote

If Congress fails to raise the $14.3 trillion debt limit, Americans could face rising interest rates and a declining dollar, among other problems… While investors have thus far been mostly disinterested in the political maneuvering in Washington, there is a growing consensus that world markets could react negatively if some measure of uncertainty is not eliminated, and soon.”